Effectiveness and impact of rotavirus vaccines in Saudi Arabia: A single hospital-based study

Background and study aims Rotavirus is the most important cause of severe gastroenteritis in children. The primary public health intervention is vaccination. Rota vaccine has been included to the national vaccination schedule in Saudi Arabia since 1 January 2013. Here we aim to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of rotavirus vaccines in Saudi Arabia following the addition of rotavirus vaccine to the national vaccination schedule. Patients and methods Retrospective analysis of electronic data of children admitted to al Jeddani Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with gastroenteritis between 1 September 2011 and 31 August 2012 (1 year before the implementation of Rota vaccine; group 1) compared to those admitted between 1 September 2015 and 31 August 2016 (3 years after the implementation of the vaccine; group 2). Results A total of 730 patients with gastroenteritis had documented rotavirus stool analysis. Their median age was 32 (16–56) months, 54% male and 46% female. The prevalence of rotavirus-positive gastroenteritis significantly decreased from 38.5% in group 1 to 13.2% in group 2, P = 0.0001. The median age of rotavirus infection significantly increased to 44 (21–56) months after the implementation of rotavirus vaccine compared to 16 (12–36) months before routine vaccination, P = 0.003. Conclusion Rotavirus gastroenteritis has significantly decreased among Saudi children, especially infants below 24 months of age, after the implementation of rotavirus vaccine in the national vaccination programme.